Being able to pitch a tent over the cockpit/tramp area and sleep aboard is something I want to work on, but I'm holding off to see how well the new tandem satisfies the requirements of a expedition kayaker.

With a longer cockpit, a long, flat-bottomed shape, with seats that ride on tracks; that can be removed, or reconfigured with inflatable pillows between seats could provide a comfortable sleeping area in the cockpit. A simple silicone impregnated nylon tarp tent protecting you from the sun or weather is all you would need to save you if you get caught out in bad weather, or as you mentioned, find yourself in a situation where you can't safely get into shore.

I'd be interested in seeing anything anyone else has come up with on this idea.

Slept on the AI a couple nights ago. Learned a lot. Details at my site, but short version is: 7x9 foot hex tent fits fine. MUST have an air bed. Tramps help alot. Pick the right spot. Etc... see my website for long version. I tried to post a picture here, but not sure if you can access (still working photo skills).

Slept on the AI a couple nights ago. Learned a lot. Details at my site, but short version is: 7x9 foot hex tent fits fine. MUST have an air bed. Tramps help alot. Pick the right spot. Etc... see my website for long version. I tried to post a picture here, but not sure if you can access (still working photo skills).

Slept on the AI a couple nights ago. Learned a lot. Details at my site, but short version is: 7x9 foot hex tent fits fine. MUST have an air bed. Tramps help alot. Pick the right spot. Etc... see my website for long version. I tried to post a picture here, but not sure if you can access (still working photo skills).

The tent I used was Greatland’s 2-3 person backpacking tent with a 7 x 9 foot hexagonal base http://www.target.com/Greatland-Backpacking-Dome-Tent-Blue/dp/B000E82AFG, but any tent less than 8 feet wide should do. I think you need to keep the ends of at least 4 out of 6 poles on the tramp. Other requirement is that the air bed fits in it. At my web site I have a picture looking inside. Granted, the air bed takes a lot of space in packing, but it serves two vital functions: it gets you high above the water and it smooths over the curvy cockpit.

Without a tramp, I suspect you would want something as narrow as possible, but big enough to fit an air bed.

The Blackwolf bivi looks great! Much easier to set up, and probably better protection against noseeums (one of my biggest fears). One warning about an air bed under the tent... if the velour top gets wet its very hard to dry. An all vinyl bed would be better, or maybe there is a better way to smooth out the contoured hull.

A down side of the big tent I have is that once its up, you can't peddle. At least with the smaller bivi you could shove it off to the side on the tramp if you need to relocate.

. An all vinyl bed would be better, or maybe there is a better way to smooth out the contoured hull.

Surfoos, I've been trying to work out a way to span the hull. I think your finding, that an air mattress is rigid enough to do it, is the real breakthrough. I wonder if one of those pool lounges might be able to do the job.